Attorney loves winning ribbons, too

By Shari Goldstein Stern

It’s not unusual to hear about a hyper-fan visiting the State Fair of Texas (SFOT) as many as two or three times during its three-week run in the fall. Those are the ones who may attend once with friends, another time with their partner and once again with their family.

East Dallas resident Mindy Fagin found her “happy place” years ago, and for 21 days every year she is preoccupied with the Fair. During September and October, it’s all about the SFOT for this super-fan.

“I love the Fair. It is my happy place,” she said. “I like to go alone a few times each year so I can do what I want, a few times with family/friends, and I love taking someone who has never been before,” the Big Tex follower said.

Fagin is a loyal SFOT guest and usually makes it a busy day five-to-seven times each season. “I have only missed three opening days: the year I was born, my first year of law school and last year during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The attorney is a native of Dallas, where she graduated from Hillcrest High School. She holds a bachelor of journalism degree from the University of Texas in Austin. In 1988 she earned her Juris Doctor degree from Tulane University School of Law in New Orleans.

“I have wanted to be a lawyer since I was eight. I have been a solo practitioner my entire legal career which started in 1989,” she said. From 1989-2017, Fagin practiced primarily in criminal defense and family law. “Now I do estate planning part-time and I volunteer for various organizations part-time,” she added.

Fagin has been entering the Creative Arts competitions for jams for about 20 years. “I usually enter three or four categories of jams. I have won my fair share of ribbons, including six blue ribbons, 15-20 red, white and honorable mention. Last year, I won a blue ribbon for my fig jam. It was my first time making it so that was pretty exciting. I also won a red ribbon for my raspberry jam last year,” the canner said. 

This year, Fagin entered four jams and two photos. It is her first time entering the photo competition, but she wanted to try something new. This year’s jams are: Peach Heat, Raspberry Orange, Ginger Peach and Hot Pepper. The photos are of White Rock Lake and a beach scene in Mexico. 

Fagin has two daughters, ages 26 and 23. Her husband, Jeff Smirin, works for Atmos Energy. Both of her daughters entered the Creative Arts competitions when they were younger and won ribbons in several categories. “Both were recipients of Big Tex scholarships for college, which is one of the many generous programs SFOT makes achievable to its supporters and, especially, younger fans,” the proud mother said. When asked about her first stop or two on each year’s Fair agenda, Fagin smoothly replied, “Easy peasy: Fletcher’s Veggie dogs meet my vegetarian choice and fried butter, but if they don’t have fried butter, then I will try something new. That cotton candy taco was delicious a few years ago.”

The State Fair of Texas opens September 24 and runs through October 16 at Fair Park.